Former President Barack Obama delivered a forceful message to Democrats at a private fundraiser in New Jersey on Friday, urging those disheartened by the current political climate to stop complaining and start organizing.
“It’s going to require a little less navel-gazing, a little less whining, and a lot more toughness,” Obama said, according to remarks obtained by CNN. “Don’t tell me you’re a Democrat but too disappointed to act. Now is exactly the time to get in there and do something.”
He emphasized the need for courage, especially in defending democratic values like free speech—even when it’s uncomfortable. “You stand up for free speech when it’s hard. When someone says something you don’t like, but you still say, ‘That person has the right to speak.’”
Obama’s remarks come as Democrats grapple with internal divisions and a search for direction following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency. With the party locked out of federal power, he encouraged Democrats to focus their energy on state-level races—particularly the upcoming gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia.
“Stop looking for the messiah. Stop looking for the quick fix,” he said. “You have great candidates right now. Support them.”
Speaking at the Red Bank home of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife Tammy, the intimate gathering raised $2.5 million for the Democratic National Committee. A portion of the funds will go toward supporting Rep. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic nominee for governor in New Jersey. Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger, running for governor in Virginia, was also praised by Obama as a “powerful spokesperson” for pragmatic, service-driven leadership.
Obama called on Democrats to invest in a more modern, data-driven campaign operation and to ensure the DNC has the resources needed to compete in a fast-moving media environment.
Addressing debates within the party, Obama argued that ideological purity should not obstruct practical progress. “If you love working people, but they can’t afford a home because your state’s zoning laws block development, then I don’t care about your ideology—you’re not delivering,” he said, criticizing restrictive housing policies driven by NIMBY (“not in my backyard”) attitudes.
The former president has made only selective public comments since Trump returned to office, previously warning of rising authoritarianism and criticizing Trump’s tariffs and attacks on civil institutions.
On Friday, he said he wasn’t surprised by Trump’s actions or by the erosion of norms within the GOP. He urged institutions like law firms and universities to resist political intimidation and to stand firm in the face of pressure.
“What’s being asked of us now is to make the effort—to stand up for what’s right, even if it means being a little uncomfortable,” he said. “If we do our jobs over the next year and a half, we can rebuild momentum and get this country moving in the direction it needs to go.”
